Proverbs 28:13

"He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion." (Proverbs 28:13 NAS)

I have a great degree of respect for someone who is open and honest. To keep one's stumblings under lock and key is so prevalent, that to find a soul who has the courage to confess is downright refreshing and encouraging. It is rare indeed. When we violate God's commands, there is often the tendency to do what Adam and Eve did in the Garden of Eden- hide. But just like them, we know we can't hide from Him. As followers of Christ, we not only have the written commands of the Holy Bible, we also have the indwelling Holy Spirit who has the uncanny ability of revealing our sins to us.

What a joy it is to know that when we confess and forsake (repent or turn away from) our sins that we have a loving heavenly Father who will show us compassion. Knowing this should make all of the difference in the world in how we deal with our sins.

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (I John 1:9 NAS)

How wonderful this is! I love how John writes "confess our sins" and "forgive us our sins", saying "sins" twice, perhaps to make sure we get it. It's sort of like a math equation:

OUR CONFESSION OF SIN + GOD'S FORGIVENESS OF SIN = 0

When it comes to sin, He is the neutralizer. He wipes the slate clean. And more than a judge who grants a pardon, our God shows compassion. But we have a part to play and that is to go to Him when we mess up, rather than try and hide or run away.

Many of us would probably feel more comfortable if the confession of sin was only between us and the Lord. That way, in many cases, no one else would have to know. But that's not His plan; He's chosen to get others involved, but as we'll see it's for our good- and theirs.

"Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much." (James 5:16 NAS)

When we confess our sins to one another it can bring healing. It can take a whole heap of stress off of us and become the very medicine needed to mend broken relationships and maybe even broken bodies. When we confess our sins to our brothers and sisters (and we need to use discernment here) we can experience the compassion of those who love us even when we blow it. So we get a double dose (or double blessing!) of compassion.

But Proverbs 28:13 tells us it is not enough to confess our transgressions; we must also forsake them. To forsake our sins is to abandon them. This won't happen if we truly don't want to stop, for though we may confess with our mouths it is ultimately our actions which speak for us. Therefore, we must leave or move away from sin if we are to truly enjoy the compassion of the Lord and His people.

If we conceal our sins, we may appear to some as righteous, though we're not likely to fool everyone and, as stated earlier, we'll never fool God. Proverbs 28:13 says that if we conceal our sins we will not prosper. And I certainly take this to mean spiritual riches more than earthly ones, though both can apply. We'll never be able to store up abundant treasures in heaven because we'll be spiritually short-circuited by the effects of covered up sin. How can we effectively reach others for Christ when we're really trying to hide or keep secrets from Him?

Let us be reminded and comforted by the compassion our heavenly Father has for us, even when we sin. Let us be deeply grateful for one another, that we have others with whom we can be accountable, and they with us. May you have a blessed day or evening.